Programmable Display Switch

ABSTRACT

A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with a simple means of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling and managing the control of devices and communicating the function or device being controlled to the user.

2. Description of Related/Prior Art

In existing switch technologies the function of the switch is often predetermined and an associated label affixed to the switch that represents its function.

For example, in an aircraft environment, this would amount to hundreds of different part numbers being created, maintained, spared and then certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as safe.

There remains, therefore, a need fur a programmable switch that is capable of duplicating the functionality of many other switches, while providing sufficient flexibility to convey its purpose to the user.

3. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are:

-   Our programmable display switch (PDS) provides a minimum of one user     programmable relay that allows for controlling other devices. The     programmable features include but are not limited to: latched or     momentary operation. If momentary then the duration is also     programmable. Our PDS includes a user programmable visual display     element such as an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display     panel. This display panel is user programmed with different graphics     that represent the state of the associated relay. -   Our PDS allows for graphics displayed on the visual display panel to     be changed by the user even after the PDS has been installed into     the target application. -   Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent     from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

4. BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention, a programmable display switch, provides users with a simple means of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated.

A display panel is connected to a display controller where the user downloads the desired switch state images. When the user wants to change the state of the switch they touch the PDS and switch sensor will detect the touch and change the state of the switch as per the user programming.

For example, if the PDS is being used as a heater control, the ON image may be one of a heater with radiating lines coming from it while the OFF image is one with no lines.

-   If the heater is currently off, the image could be the current OFF     state, in which case when the user touched the PDS the image would     change to ON and the relay(s) would either open or close or be     latched or momentarily change state depending upon the user program     and the requirement of the device being controlled. If at some later     date the user no longer liked the heater image with lines they could     simply load a new image into the PDS without removing it from its     currently installed position.

DRAWINGS LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 Programmable Display Switch Block Diagram

DRAWINGS—LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

The first 1 digits=the FIGURE number and the second 2 digits indicate the part number

Item Nomenclature 120 Single Switch Panel 121 Display 122 Display Control and Switch Sensor Circuit 123 Relay(s) 124 Power Supply 125 Control Logic Circuit 126 Audio Feedback 127 Programming Port

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the block diagram of the Programmable Display Switch.

A chassis 120 houses a power supply 124, a Display 121, a Display Control and Switch Sensor circuit 122, a control logic circuit 125, one or more relays 123, a programming port 127 and optionally an ambient light sensor 125 and also optionally an audio feedback circuit 126. 

1. A switch, comprising: (a) a programmable display, and (b) one or more programmable means of controlling other devices.
 2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the programmable parameters of the means of controlling other devices can be programmed with the apparatus already installed.
 3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the programmable display images can be loaded with the apparatus already installed. 